Today at 7 p.m., the Bearden (AR) varsity football team will take on Mount Ida (AR) in a neutral-site playoff game as part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs. This matchup falls within the 2A Football State Bracket, where both teams are eager to advance further in the postseason.

Team Overview

Mount Ida enters the game with a solid 7-3 overall record, finishing second in their conference with a 5-2 mark. The team has been impressive on both sides of the ball, scoring an average of 37.1 points per game, while allowing just 168 points over the course of the season. The Lions have been particularly strong at home, boasting a 4-2 record at their home field, and they will look to carry that momentum into this crucial playoff game.

Bearden, meanwhile, comes into the game with a 6-4 overall record and a 5-2 conference mark. The Bears have shown resilience throughout the season, scoring 259 points while allowing 217. Bearden has been solid both at home and away, finishing with a 3-2 record in both categories. With an average of 25.9 points per game, they will need to step up their offensive game to keep pace with Mount Ida’s high-scoring attack.

Key Stats

Mount Ida:

• Record: 7-3
• Conference Record: 5-2
• Points Scored: 371
• Points Allowed: 168
• Points Per Game: 37.1
• Scoring Average:
  • Q1: –
  • Q2: –
  • Q3: –
  • Q4: –

Bearden:

• Record: 6-4
• Conference Record: 5-2
• Points Scored: 259
• Points Allowed: 217
• Points Per Game: 25.9
• Scoring Average:
  • Q1: –
  • Q2: –
  • Q3: –
  • Q4: –

What to Watch

For Mount Ida, their explosive offense will be the key to success. Averaging over 37 points per game, they have been able to break games wide open, especially with their ability to score consistently throughout all four quarters. If they can maintain that high level of production against Bearden, they’ll be difficult to stop.

Bearden will need to find a way to neutralize Mount Ida’s offense while also stepping up their own scoring. With an average of 25.9 points per game, the Bears will need to find ways to generate more offense, especially in the later stages of the game. Their defense will also need to limit Mount Ida’s big plays and keep the game within reach.

The upcoming matchup between Mount Ida and Bearden is set to be a thrilling contest. Both teams are coming off solid seasons, with Mount Ida entering at 7-3 and Bearden at 6-4. Despite their similarities in record, the two teams feature distinct styles of play, making this game an interesting clash of strengths and strategies.

Let’s break down the stats and see how these two teams stack up.

Team Stat Comparison

• Rushing Yards Per Game
  • Mount Ida: 365.2
  • Bearden: No data available
    Mount Ida has an explosive rushing offense, averaging 365.2 yards per game. This is a clear strength for Mount Ida, and they’ll likely look to control the clock and grind out yards on the ground. Bearden, though, hasn’t provided rushing data, which raises questions about their offensive balance.
• Passing Yards Per Game
  • Mount Ida: 38.1
  • Bearden: No data available
    Mount Ida relies heavily on the run, with passing yards being a secondary focus. Bearden’s passing stats are also missing, suggesting that they might have a similar approach to Mount Ida in terms of relying on the run game. However, if they do have a passing game, it remains a mystery.
• Total Yards Per Game
  • Mount Ida: 403.3
  • Bearden: No data available
    Mount Ida’s total yards per game are robust, with 403.3 yards generated each contest. This is a balanced combination of their rushing attack and passing yards. Bearden’s total yards remain undisclosed, but the lack of passing yards suggests their offensive focus might be on running the ball and controlling the clock.
• Tackles Per Game
  • Mount Ida: 60.9
  • Bearden: No data available
    Mount Ida appears to have a strong defense, averaging 60.9 tackles per game. This suggests they are active around the field and can shut down opposing offenses. Bearden’s defensive stats are not available, but they’ll need to have a disciplined approach to slow down Mount Ida’s potent offense.
• Sacks Per Game
  • Mount Ida: 0.4
  • Bearden: No data available
    While Mount Ida’s sack total is relatively low (0.4 per game), their defense has still been effective in other areas. Bearden’s sack data is also missing, but it’s likely that both teams will rely on strong defensive schemes to contain each other’s offenses.
• Points Per Game
  • Mount Ida: 37.0
  • Bearden: No data available
    Mount Ida averages an impressive 37.0 points per game, which underscores their ability to score in bunches. Bearden’s points per game is not available, but they will need to keep up with Mount Ida’s offensive firepower if they hope to compete.

Team Leaders

• Mount Ida:
  • Ben Woodfield: 188.7 rushing yards per game, 198.8 total yards per game, 19.6 points per game
  • Jackson White: 44.0 passing yards per game
  • Dean Johnson III: 12.9 receiving yards per game
  • Beau Weston: 8.9 tackles per game, 0.1 sacks per game

Ben Woodfield is clearly the star player for Mount Ida, with an outstanding 188.7 rushing yards per game and nearly 200 total yards per game. His ability to dominate the ground game is a key factor for Mount Ida’s success. On defense, Beau Weston leads the charge with 8.9 tackles per game, helping to anchor the team’s defensive efforts.

Record Breakdown

• Mount Ida (7-3):
  Mount Ida has had a strong season, finishing with a 7-3 record. Their league record of 5-2 shows their competitiveness within their conference. They’ve also performed well on the road (3-1) and at home (4-2), and will look to build on this momentum in the postseason.
• Bearden (6-4):
  Bearden, with a 6-4 record, has also had a successful season. They’ve performed similarly in league play with a 5-2 record. Their road record is 3-1, which is strong, though they did struggle in non-league matchups (1-2). Bearden will have their work cut out for them if they hope to compete with Mount Ida’s high-powered offense.

Common Opponents

• Mount Ida vs. Bearden (Head to Head):
  Bearden holds a 1-0 advantage in the head-to-head competition against Mount Ida. This could give Bearden a slight mental edge going into this matchup, but Mount Ida’s impressive offense will likely be a tough challenge for Bearden to handle.

Key Takeaways

• Mount Ida’s Dominant Ground Game:
  With a ground attack averaging over 360 yards per game, Mount Ida’s running game will be difficult to stop. Bearden will need to load the box and try to contain Ben Woodfield and Mount Ida’s running backs if they hope to slow down the offense.
• Bearden’s Need for Defensive Discipline:
  Bearden must stay disciplined on defense and avoid giving up big plays. While they may not have the data to indicate a high-powered offense, they will likely need a standout defensive performance to keep the game close.
• High Scoring Potential for Mount Ida:
  Mount Ida’s offense has been potent, averaging 37 points per game. Bearden will have to match that offensive output to stay in the game, which could prove challenging given Mount Ida’s offensive prowess.

Conclusion

Mount Ida enters the game as the clear favorite with a solid 7-3 record and a dominant ground game. Bearden will need to dig deep, especially on defense, to compete with Mount Ida’s high-powered offense. The game promises to be a hard-fought battle, with Mount Ida looking to continue their strong run and Bearden hoping to pull off an upset. As both teams prepare for this important matchup, it will come down to whether Bearden can stop Mount Ida’s rushing attack and execute their game plan efficiently.